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- FranceGrenache-based blendOutstanding, rich, velvety Châteauneuf-du-Pape from an 18th-century family estate with many awards£25.20 per bottle when you mix 6+£28.00 per bottleQty bottles:OR
- ItalyRed blendDense cherry and dark chocolate notes in this superb Ripasso Classico Superiore from Valpolicella£14.49 per bottle when you mix 6+£16.49 per bottleQty bottles:OR
- PortugalAlicante BouschetA rich and intensely flavoured Reserva edition of much-loved Aluado. Lots of blackberry and spice£15.99 per bottle when you mix 6+£17.99 per bottleQty bottles:OR
- ArgentinaCabernet SauvignonArgentina’s Opi Sadler releases ‘Big Bat’, a 95-point mature Cabernet, saved in his cellar until now£22.00 per bottle when you mix 6+£32.00 per bottleQty bottles:OR
- SpainGraciano-based blendRich, dark black fruit and spice in this exciting new organic Rioja from the region's Oriental area£11.89 per bottle when you mix 6+£16.99 per bottleQty bottles:OR
- ItalySangioveseExceptional Chianti Classico Riserva from an 800-year-old estate, crafted by the great Bernabei team£16.99 per bottle when you mix 6+£18.99 per bottleQty bottles:OR
- FranceMerlot-based blendRipe, supple Merlot-rich claret, with a great Gold-medal history, from our own Castillon estate£13.99 per bottle when you mix 6+£15.99 per bottleQty bottles:OR
- GermanyPinot NoirGorgeously supple, silky Pinot Noir with an elegant smoky edge, from Germany's prized Pfalz region£16.99 per bottle when you mix 6+£18.99 per bottleQty bottles:OR
- FranceMerlot-based blendAn opulent claret, now with 9 years maturity, from an estate offering “tremendous value and quality”£17.99 per bottle when you mix 6+£19.99 per bottleQty bottles:OR
- GermanyPinot NoirUncover the charm of Pinot Noir from Germany – Von Reben brims with elegant, silky, ripe berry fruit£11.99 per bottle when you mix 6+£13.99 per bottleQty bottles:OR
- ItalySangioveseA terrific hush-hush parcel of superb Brunello di Montalcino from one of the region's best producers£35.00 per bottle when you mix 6+£70.00 per bottleQty bottles:OR
- ItalyRed blendDeliciously rich, powerful Amarone from Italy's 2016 Winery of the Year – intense and luscious£26.00 per bottle when you mix 6+£29.00 per bottleQty bottles:OR
- Gorgeously rich Black Red legends – from just £9.99 a bottle£131.88 £163.381 case (12 bottles) - £10.99 per bottleSave £31.50£239.76£326.762 cases (24 bottles) - £9.99 per bottleSave £87.00Qty cases:
- Gorgeously rich Aussie reds from favourite family cellars£47.94 £74.941 case (6 bottles) - £7.99 per bottleSave £27.00Qty cases:
- United StatesZinfandelBlack Saint Peter Reserve – an even more powerful, velvety edition of the original Zin red£14.99 per bottle when you mix 6+£22.00 per bottleQty bottles:OR
- FranceMerlot-based blendWith 23 Gold medals in six vintages, this is a stunning Bordeaux in a lovely ripe vintage£15.99 per bottle when you mix 6+£17.99 per bottleQty bottles:OR
- United StatesCabernet FrancA riper style of Cabernet Franc from California’s warm, sun-kissed Lodi vineyards. Juicy, berry-rich£13.99 per bottle when you mix 6+£15.99 per bottleQty bottles:OR
- FranceGrenache-based blendThe original King of Big Reds, with enhanced richness and power from old-vines and spicy Syrah£15.99 per bottle when you mix 6+£17.99 per bottleQty bottles:OR
- ItalyMerlotAs sensuous as the dance after which it's named, Tarantella Merlot is full of spiced damson pleasure£10.99 per bottle when you mix 6+£13.99 per bottleQty bottles:OR
- FrancePinot NoirAll the seductive, silky berry fruit of fine, oak-aged Pinot Noir, with a hint of southern ripenessExpected back in stock 01 June 2024Add to Basket if you're happy to wait£14.99 per bottle when you mix 6+£16.99 per bottleQty bottles:
- FranceMerlot-based blendFrom the owners of Château Haut-Brion, this is a superb 93pt Saint-Émilion with 5-Star pedigree£23.00 per bottle when you mix 6+£25.00 per bottleQty bottles:OR
- PortugalTouriga Nacional-based blendGorgeously rich Douro red from a port master! Velvet smooth and full of black fruit and spice£14.99 per bottle when you mix 6+£16.99 per bottleQty bottles:OR
- FranceSyrahRich, silky Syrah from close to Corbières. Dark black fruit, violet scents and warm spice£13.49 per bottle when you mix 6+£14.99 per bottleQty bottles:OR
Like white wine, all types of red wine are made by crushing harvested wine grapes. Then, winemakers add yeast and sugar to start the fermentation process—this is when the grape juice becomes alcoholic.
What gives red wine its vibrant colour depends on many factors, including the climate in which the grapes were grown, the natural colour of the grape skins, whether the wine has been aged in barrel or bottle and how long the grape skins were left to soak in the grape juice.
The grape skins are left to soak during fermentation, lasting anywhere from a few days to a few months. The longer the grape skins soak, the darker the wine.
Red wines come in an array of styles, flavours, and textures, each offering a unique flavour. Some of the most popular red wines are:
Cabernet Franc – with its medium body, this wine is full of ripe, lively red fruit flavours.
Cabernet Sauvignon – a full-bodied red, known for its high tannins and robust black fruit flavours.
Malbec – full-bodied and firm, Malbec offers tart, dark fruit flavours.
Merlot – this medium-bodied, fruity red wine is known for its soft texture and smooth finish.
Grenache – a plush, medium-bodied wine that’s brimming with bright red fruit and citrus aromas.
Pinot Noir – a light-bodied wine celebrated for its bright acidity, silky red fruit and earthy undertones.
Syrah / Shiraz – jammy, rich and bold, this wine has complex layers of earthy notes and dark fruit flavours.
Zinfandel – this medium-bodied, easy-drinking wine is full of juicy fruit flavours.
Red wine is described as 'dry' when almost no residual sugar is left after fermentation. All wines are left to ferment – this is how they get their alcohol. But the longer the grapes are left to ferment, the more of the grape’s natural sugars are converted into alcohol.
As a result, dry red wines lack the sweetness that you might find in other types of wine. They also contain a higher alcohol percentage – between 13.5–15% ABV – which creates a denser flavour and more pronounced texture. Some popular dry red wines include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Tempranillo.
Red wine is described as 'sweet' when high levels of residual sugar remain after the grape juice ferments. This is a deliberate strategy because the sugar gives it its characteristic sweet flavour. The shorter fermentation period also means that there is less time for the sugar to convert into alcohol. As such, sweet red wines tend to have lower levels of alcohol – usually less than 10% ABV.
Most red wines should be served slightly below room temperature. This helps to preserve the balance and complexity of flavours, and it highlights the wine’s unique characteristics. Lighter and more delicate red wines, such as Pinot Noir and Beaujolais, typically benefit from a slightly cooler temperature (around 12–15°C), to preserve their subtle flavours and aromas.
By contrast, fortified wines like Port and Madeira are often enjoyed at warmer temperatures, around 18–20°C, to enhance their richness and complexity.
You might also consider decanting your wine before serving. This process aerates the wine, releasing its aromas and softening its tannins. Decanting is especially helpful for robust and tannic wines such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux, which can benefit from two or three hours to breathe. Medium-bodied wines, such as Merlot and Chianti, require a shorter decanting time – one or two hours will do – while lighter and older wines might only need 30 minutes or so.
For glassware, opt for red wine glasses with larger bowls and wider rims, which allow more oxygen in and concentrate the wine’s flavours. Fortified wines, like Port and Sherry, have their own glasses, which are much smaller.
Red wines are best stored in a cool, dry space with a consistent temperature. If it has a cork, keep it on its side. Also avoid placing the bottle anywhere where it will receive direct sunlight because it can turn the wine sour.
Once a bottle is opened, red wine keeps its flavour for about three to five days. This applies to both corked and screw-top wines, so there’s no need for this to influence your purchasing decisions. To maintain the quality of the wine, ensure the bottle is sealed tightly and stored in a cool place.